Mojave National Preserve

Thursday, January 29, 2015

My plans were to travel to Twentynine Palms, California and enter the Joshua Tree National Park from there. But as I was doing a little research on the Internet about the park, I found they do not allow dogs on the trails. Only on roadways and your camp on a leash. So I decided to go to the Mojave National Preserve instead. They allow dogs on the trails.

We dumped our tanks and took on water in Bouse and headed north to Parker at 9:30 am. I wanted to get an early start since this is new territory for me.

Stopped in Parker and got gas and we headed north on Hwy 95 to Needles, California. Crossed the Colorado River just west of Parker. You can see that the river is low.

Needles lies in a valley with Interstate 40 going through it. The day is overcast and gray, so the photos look dull. Here we are dropping into Needles on Hwy 95.

On the outskirts of town, we hit I-40 going west. All was going fine so far.

I saw a sign saying Mojave National Preserve at exit 86, old Route 66. Made the exit and here is where I went wrong. First I stopped at the gas station at this exit. Gas was $5.00 a gallon. Ouch! I bought 5 gallons just to make sure I had no gas shortage problems. Then I headed up old Route 66 looking for the Preserve.

I ended up taking this road for 16 miles up to where it connected to Hwy 95 again. Never did see a sign for the Preserve and the road had no where to turn around. Here I am going north through the desert on old Route 66 racing a train. So when I got to 95, I Google mapped the Preserve and found that I should not have exited at 86 but at Essex Road at exit 100.

So drove all the way back to I-40 and went another 10 miles west and exited on Essex Road. Went north on this road for about 10 miles and nothing out there. The mountains are beautifu and rugged. It feels very remote out here. No one around to help if you need it. Took a road east that said campground 10 miles. As I headed up that road, I finally found a dirt side road. Walked up the road to see if there was a fire ring up there and sure enough there was one.Pulled in and I’m home for the night at least.

Texted Dolly to let her know I made it. Good thing I left early, It is 3:00 pm but because of the clouds, it looks like dusk is coming soon. Got everything setup for the night and took Yuma for a walk further up the jeep road I am camping next to. Very remote and beautiful here.

I set up my trucker’s antenna and hooked it to my Wilson booster and got three bars of 1X. I do get the Internet, but it is sloooww.

10 comments:

I should have topped my tanks off in Needles, but sometimes I don't think about how remote it is around here. I had 3/4 of a tank in the motorhome but wasn't sure where I was going, so just bought a little for insurance.

After going up and back down old Route 66 I guess I'm glad I had the extra gas. I used most of the $5 gas on that error.

Yes, couldn't help mentioning to the lady I thought it was a rip-off. After I got the gas. I can't wait till the rain stops and the sun comes out so I can see this area as I should see it. Supposed to rain till tomorrow. Probably the storm that is going to rip through my home in Illinois with snow tomorrow and Sunday. Glad to have warm rain instead.

Looks like a lovely spot you've found after all the trouble and the internet is strong enough to post the blog. That's great for 1X for sure. I'm shocked at the gas price. It's under $2.00 a gallon in the east. What's up out there with over twice as much. Definitely sounds like gouging.

it is pretty here. Just hope the sun comes out to warm and dry things up before long. I guess those people at that station know they are the only ones around with gas so they charge what they can. That is not the average in California I am sure. Just one station.

There's a Visitor's Center at Kelso in the Preserve. They will probably have all the info there on the surrounding land, where to camp, things to see etc. I'm guessing you are maybe somewhere east of there. Check it out on Google Earth.

Thanks Al. I will check them out. Right now I'm not sure where I am. It is pretty, but have stayed within walking distance of the motor home all day. Damp and very cool. Luckily, I brought long johns with me so I am comfortable when hiking around the area. I even have a rain parka so I'm staying dry too. Haven't seen anyone around. Just a few cars going up and down the paved road.